PHILIPPINES: President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo ended a week-long state of emergency in the Philippines yesterday, as widely expected, after her security chiefs said the threat from coup plotters had receded.
A leftist congressman and an army lieutenant face charges of rebellion, with prosecutors investigating complaints against five left-wing politicians, three lieutenants and two retired soldiers.
Intelligence officials yesterday linked a group of senators, religious leaders and members of previous governments to the plot. However, they said they would not identify them pending an investigation.
Many analysts suspect Ms Arroyo of ramping up the alleged conspiracy to allow security forces wider scope to target her enemies.
They said the crackdown would do little to stop power struggles among the elite or unite the restive military.
Meanwhile, two small bombs exploded in Manila near the headquarters of an elite police team and a shopping area about 75 minutes before Ms Arroyo's taped announcement was broadcast. They caused no casualties, but briefly raised fears the president might extend emergency rule.
Police said the blasts, caused by crude devices, were no reason for alarm.
However, security concerns returned when communist rebels killed three police officers in an ambush near the resort town of Puerto Galera, which is popular with foreign tourists.